Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles SST performance on game

I've been loading Hornady 139 SSTs @ 3100 fps for punching paper at the range in my 7mm Rem Mag
The load shoots so well I'm wanting to use it in the field, but have no experience with this projectile on game, anyone use them, how do they perform?

My experience is limited to three whitetails killed with 130gr SST from a 270WSM at ranges between 60 and 250yds. Three shots, three dead deer, no bullets recovered.

This bullet has a (internet) reputation for being somewhat fragile. Perhaps it is. I suspect at higher impact velocities, you may not want to attempt uncle Elmer's "raking shot".

However,if you hit deer in the right place, they die.

405wcf

I've shot a fair amount of them out of my 30/06. The ones that were aimed at game (maybe 4-5 deer and 3-4 antelope) all dispatched the animals quickly.

I busted a nice 8 point at about 40 yards with a 139 hornady sst in light mag factory load from a 7mm08. Deer was quartering towards me and was shot through the front of near shoulder. Deer died quick after about a 60 yard sprint. However, when I recovered the bullet, there was complete separation of copper jacket from internal matter. This bullet was traveling at about 2900fps. I wouldn't hesitate to hunt with them if I had some, but I wouldn't be confident with a shot at high velocity that needed maximum penetration.

I shoot alot of SST through alot of my rifles. My experience with them is that they are very hard on meat. SST do put game down very fast but at a cost. Now i use sst's for playing (groundhogs) and I use the interbonds for hunting. They shoot the same, same load, seating depth, and best of all no re-sighting in. Hope that helps.

I've killed six whitetails with 139gr SSTs out of my 280 Rem (mv of 2995fps) from 40-220 yards. I had exits on all hits and that includes two taken in the shoulder (80 and 220 yards). No deer went over 30 or so yards after being hit.

I hit a 180 lb pig w/ a 30 cal 165 gr SST at about 50 yards with a pass-through bang-flop.

I have it from a very respectable authority that they're considerably more frangible than the NBT, but from my experience they're very accurate and fine for deer/pig-sized game.

If you're looking for something that'll not damage much meat I don't know that this is the ideal bullet for you, but if you're looking to put 'em down ASAP the SST is a great one.

I used a 150 SST in my 300 WBY to take an antelope last year and it was pushing pretty hard- about 3600 FPS. The goat didn't go anywhere and it didn't ruin the cape- That's about all I ask.


I did see one shot on the point of the shoulder and it was a mess. I think pushing them that hard is going to give erratic results.

dennisinaz,
Did you get an exit wound on the goat? If so, how large was it?

Thanks

I have only seen the aftermath of 2 Mule Deer taken with SSTs and they were both with .270 130 SST factory load. One was under 100 yards frontal quartering and the bullet was recovered under the hide in front of hindquarter. It was a nice mushroom and retained it's core. The guy said the deer didn't react much to the shot, but only went about 30 yards and fell over. The other was something over 300 yards and was a high shoulder/spine shot that sailed on through. My buddy shot sighted his rifle 3" high at 100 yards and was dead on at 300 yards so the load shot a bit flatter than what the charts suggest (maybe scope was higher than 1.5" as in chart?).

Lou

I just bought some 150's for my Weatherby Ultralight .270 Win. I went with the 150's because I wanted to slow them down a little for Whitetail hunting. In my area, shorts are usally within 100 yds, but sometimes out to 400.

i shot a big bodied 5x5 bull elk 3 years ago with a 300 rum and 180grn ssts at 211 yards. ist shot broadside complete pass through behind shoulders. he stood there and wouldnt go down so i shot again, 2nd through the throat , the bullet came out in front of hind his hind quarters.

both shots copmplete pass throughs. the first boke ribs on both sides of chest cavity. i think they are a tougher bullet than most people think

Yes, the exit hole was about the size of a quarter.